News about Black Sea: events, facts and developments on tafs uz.
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On October 28 in Sofia, the defense ministers of three NATO countries agreed on a trilateral coordination mechanism: regular consultations, information exchange, and improved monitoring and early warning of threats. The parties condemned attacks on commercial vessels. The next meetings will be held in Bucharest and Ankara.
Aziz KarimovFinancial Times reports that the war between Russia and Ukraine has made the Black Sea the most dangerous shipping area: since the beginning of 2026, at least 40 sailors have died there — more than in the Strait of Hormuz. War-risk insurance rates reach 15% of a vessel's hull value, and strikes on commercial ships are hitting global supplies of fuel and food.
Aziz KarimovRussia's Defense Ministry claimed that drones hit a dry cargo ship sailing to Odesa with cargo for the Ukrainian military while it was underway at sea. Earlier, the ministry reported a strike on another dry cargo ship 40 km south of Odesa.
Aziz KarimovAccording to the Financial Times, citing shipowners and maritime associations, the Black Sea in 2026 became more dangerous than the Persian Gulf: more than 570 incidents and the deaths of at least 40 sailors. Among the causes cited are Ukraine’s attacks on Russian vessels and retaliatory strikes on Ukrainian ports. Turkey has handed the parties proposals for a ceasefire in the region.
Aziz KarimovOn October 25, Bulgaria holds the first round of its presidential election. The frontrunner is incumbent president Iliana Yotova, backed by the party of Prime Minister Rumen Radev; her main rival is former caretaker prime minister Andrey Gyurov. The campaign has been marked by drone attacks on ships in the Black Sea, rising energy prices, and disputes over the course toward Moscow. A second round is likely on November 1. On 25 October, Bulgaria holds the first round of its presidential election. The favourite is incumbent president Iliana Yotova, backed by the party of Prime Minister Rumen Radev; her main rival is former interim prime minister Andrey Gyurov. The campaign has been marked by drone attacks on ships in the Black Sea, rising energy prices and disputes over the course toward Moscow. The second round is likely to take place on 1 November.
Otabek YusupovRomania carried out a rescue operation after a distress signal from the Khoryv vessel, which was reportedly attacked by drones 13 miles from Constanța. Of the 13 crew members (Ukraine and Azerbaijan), nine were rescued, the body of one sailor was found, and three are listed as missing. The President of Romania blamed Russia; according to DW, the vessel is the fourth attacked off the Romanian coast in a month.
Sevara AzamovaRussia's Defense Ministry stated that Geran-4 Seeker drones hit dry cargo ships in the Black Sea, which, according to the ministry, were used to deliver military cargo for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Footage of the strikes has been published.
Javlon TursunovBulgaria is preparing for the presidential election on 25 October with a possible runoff on 1 November. The main contenders are incumbent president Iliana Yotova, backed by Prime Minister Rumen Radev, and former prime minister Andrey Gyurov, supported by the opposition. Drone attacks on vessels in the Black Sea have sharpened the debate over support for Ukraine and the government's foreign policy stance.
Javlon TursunovFollowing a meeting of the North Atlantic Council at ambassadorial level, NATO announced the deployment of additional reconnaissance, monitoring and expertise assets to the Black Sea. The meeting was convened at the initiative of Romania and Bulgaria due to the growing threat of drone use in the region. The statements were made by Alliance spokesperson Alison Hart.
Sevara AzamovaTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a phone call with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev, discussing bilateral ties, trade cooperation, shipping security in the Black Sea, and a drone attack in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone. Erdogan also invited Radev to the COP31 leaders' summit in Antalya.
Javlon TursunovThe Russian Defense Ministry stated that Russian forces struck a cargo ship traveling by sea to the port of Odessa with military cargo for Ukraine. The vessel was attacked before entering the harbor and beginning unloading. According to the ministry, striking the transport deprives the Ukrainian group of weapons and ammunition before they reach supply bases.
Javlon TursunovBulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev confirmed that a US Navy Boeing P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft is conducting reconnaissance over the Black Sea following drone attacks on commercial vessels. Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov stressed that the aircraft belongs to NATO and has no strike capabilities. Over the past month, four vessels have been attacked in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, two of which sank.
Sevara AzamovaEU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told the European Parliament about six attacks on civilian ships over 10 days off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria. According to her, Ukraine is losing about €60 million a day in export revenue, while the global food system faces a combination of threats: a super El Niño, drought in both hemispheres, and the Middle East conflict complicating fertilizer exports.
Javlon TursunovNATO fighters escorted an unidentified object, believed to be a drone, in Lithuania's Biržai district near the Latvian border on Sunday morning. According to the Latvian army, the object was likely not shot down and may have exploded on its own. The day before, Romania reported downing two Geran-family drones over the Black Sea.
Otabek YusupovRomanian F-16 fighter jets shot down two drones that illegally entered the country's airspace over territorial waters near Sulina. Defence Minister Radu Miruță said the first drone was shot down within two minutes of entering the airspace, the second five minutes later. The origin of the drones has not been disclosed. Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu stated that NATO will discuss the Black Sea situation at a meeting on Tuesday.
Aziz KarimovTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the dispatch of the Osman Gazi floating production platform to the Sakarya field in the Black Sea, calling it a new page in the country's energy history. The ceremony took place at the Filyos port in Zonguldak province. According to the authorities, by 2027 gas production will rise to 20 million cubic meters per day.
Otabek YusupovRomanian President Nicușor Dan, in an interview with Euronews, said the Black Sea will become safe only after the end of Russia's war against Ukraine, and called for stronger NATO oversight in the region. After drone attacks on commercial vessels off the coasts of Bulgaria and Romania, he and Bulgarian leader Rumen Radev raised the security issue at the EU summit in Brussels and met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Otabek YusupovThe San Marino-flagged tanker Wine Trader issued a distress call off the coast of Romania on October 15 after a drone attack: five of the 12 crew members were rescued, seven remain missing. That same night, a fire also broke out aboard the Comoros-flagged tanker Yara J, with no casualties reported. According to Reuters, at least five vessels have been attacked off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria over the past ten days, killing 23 sailors.
Otabek Yusupov
